African-American Actors Who Are the Best On-Screen Criers

The art of screen acting often requires a performer to access deep levels of vulnerability and sadness. Many actors have built their reputations on their ability to deliver convincing emotional performances that resonate with viewers. These moments of genuine grief can elevate a story and create a lasting impact on the audience. This list features performers who have demonstrated an exceptional talent for portraying sorrow and shedding tears on camera.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has delivered some of the most memorable emotional performances in cinema history. His ability to convey deep sorrow through subtle facial expressions is highlighted in ‘Glory’ where a single tear falls during a difficult scene. He often portrays strong men who eventually reach a breaking point of vulnerability. This emotional range is also evident in ‘Fences’ as he navigates complex family dynamics and personal failures. His performances consistently resonate with audiences due to his authentic portrayal of grief and frustration.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown is widely recognized for his powerful emotional range on the small screen. He became a standout performer in ‘This Is Us’ for his ability to weep convincingly in nearly every episode. His character deals with themes of adoption and fatherhood that require deep emotional access. He also displayed intense vulnerability in ‘Waves’ through a performance centered on family tragedy and reconciliation. Audiences frequently cite his expressive eyes and trembling voice as hallmarks of his acting style.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan has shown a remarkable ability to tap into raw emotion throughout his career. His breakout performance in ‘Fruitvale Station’ featured devastating scenes that required a high level of emotional honesty. In ‘Creed’ he portrayed a young boxer struggling with the legacy of his father and his own self doubt. He also delivered a heartbreaking performance in ‘Black Panther’ where his character faced deep seated anger and sadness. His physical intensity often pairs with a willingness to show true sensitivity on screen.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali is known for his quiet and contemplative approach to emotional scenes. In ‘Moonlight’ he played a mentor figure whose internal struggles were visible through his restrained yet moving performance. He won critical acclaim for ‘Green Book’ by portraying a man dealing with isolation and systemic prejudice. His ability to cry naturally while maintaining the dignity of his characters is a testament to his skill. He often uses small gestures and heavy silence to communicate a character’s inner pain.

Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya became an international star after his incredibly expressive performance in ‘Get Out’. The image of his character crying while in a hypnotic state remains one of the most iconic moments in modern horror. He followed this with a powerful turn in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ where he portrayed Fred Hampton with intense passion. In ‘Queen and Slim’ he showcased his ability to portray a man overwhelmed by fear and loss. His large and expressive eyes allow him to convey a wealth of emotion without saying a single word.

Will Smith

Will Smith has successfully transitioned from comedic roles to heavy dramatic performances that showcase his emotional depth. One of his most famous crying scenes occurred in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ during a confrontation about his character’s father. He continued this trend in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ where he played a father struggling to provide for his son while homeless. In ‘Seven Pounds’ he portrayed a man burdened by guilt and the need for redemption. His ability to let his guard down on screen has earned him multiple award nominations.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne is an actor who brings a sense of gravity and power to every role he plays. In ‘The Color Purple’ he displayed a range of emotions that included deep sorrow and regret. He also showed great vulnerability in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ as a father trying to guide his son through a dangerous environment. His performance in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ required him to explore the darker side of human emotion and its consequences. He has a commanding presence that makes his moments of emotional breakdown feel even more impactful.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle has a talent for portraying characters who are dealing with immense pressure and internal conflict. In ‘Hotel Rwanda’ he played a man trying to save lives while facing the threat of genocide. His performance in ‘Crash’ involved complex emotional beats as his character dealt with family issues and societal tensions. He often portrays men who try to keep their emotions in check until they can no longer hold them back. This grounded approach makes his on screen crying feel incredibly realistic and earned.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker is celebrated for his intense and often physical approach to acting. He won an Academy Award for ‘The Last King of Scotland’ where he portrayed the terrifying yet vulnerable Idi Amin. In ‘The Butler’ he showed the long term emotional toll of service and personal sacrifice over several decades. He has a unique way of using his voice and breathing to convey a character’s mounting distress. His ability to inhabit the emotional life of his characters makes his scenes of grief very moving.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba is known for his rugged and stoic roles but he frequently shows a softer side in his dramatic work. In ‘Luther’ he plays a detective whose personal life is often in shambles due to the nature of his job. He delivered a powerful and emotional performance in ‘Beasts of No Nation’ as a complex leader of child soldiers. His role in ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ required him to portray the many emotional hardships faced by the historic leader. He uses his physical presence to highlight the moments when his characters finally succumb to their pain.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman left a lasting legacy through his portrayals of legendary figures and complex heroes. In ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ he gave a searing performance that included moments of intense spiritual and personal anguish. He showed great emotional depth in ’42’ while portraying the challenges faced by Jackie Robinson. His role in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ involved portraying a fallen soldier who appears in haunting emotional flashbacks. He was a master at showing the resilience of the human spirit through both strength and tears.

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright is a character actor who brings a high level of intellectual and emotional depth to his roles. In the series ‘Angels in America’ he delivered a multi layered performance that explored grief and identity. He showed a different kind of vulnerability in ‘Westworld’ as a character discovering the truth about his existence. His work in ‘American Fiction’ allowed him to show the frustrations and sadness of a man feeling out of place in his profession. He is highly skilled at using his voice to convey the subtle nuances of a character’s emotional state.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx is a versatile performer who can move seamlessly between high energy comedy and deep drama. He won an Academy Award for ‘Ray’ where he captured the many emotional highs and lows of Ray Charles. In ‘Just Mercy’ he played a man on death row who had to face the reality of his situation with both fear and dignity. He also delivered an emotional performance in ‘The Soloist’ as a talented musician struggling with mental health issues. His ability to disappear into a role allows his emotional scenes to feel completely authentic.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is often associated with high intensity and loud characters but he has many quiet emotional moments. In ‘A Time to Kill’ he played a father driven to extremes by the trauma inflicted on his daughter. He showed a more weary and sad side in ‘Unbreakable’ as a man searching for meaning in his life. His performance in ‘Jungle Fever’ involved a heartbreaking portrayal of a man lost to addiction. He can use his powerful voice to express a wide range of emotions including profound sadness.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman is known for his calm demeanor and authoritative voice but he excels in dramatic scenes. In ‘Million Dollar Baby’ he played a former boxer who witnessed a tragic accident that changed his life. He showed great emotional restraint and depth in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ as a man facing a lifetime in prison. His performance in ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ involved a subtle and moving portrayal of friendship and aging. He has a way of making his characters feel like real people who have lived through significant pain.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor delivered one of the most powerful emotional performances of his career in ’12 Years a Slave’. His character endured unimaginable hardship and his scenes of quiet weeping were particularly moving. He also showed great vulnerability in ‘Dirty Pretty Things’ as a man living on the margins of society. In ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ he played a father struggling to support his family during a famine. He is an actor who can convey a sense of desperation and hope through his expressive face.

Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield has a unique screen presence that allows him to excel in unconventional and emotional roles. In ‘Short Term 12’ he delivered a raw and heartbreaking performance as a teenager aging out of the foster care system. He showed a different kind of emotional intensity in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ as a man caught between two worlds. His role in ‘Atlanta’ often required him to portray a character who was processing complex thoughts and feelings. He is known for his ability to bring a sense of realism and unpredictability to his dramatic scenes.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has quickly become one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood for his dramatic range. He delivered a powerful performance in ‘Watchmen’ where his character faced a complex emotional journey across time. In ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ he portrayed Bobby Seale with a mix of defiance and deep frustration. He showed great vulnerability in ‘Candyman’ as a man losing his grip on reality and his own identity. His ability to show the internal life of his characters makes his emotional scenes very effective.

John Boyega

John Boyega has shown that he can handle large scale action and intimate character dramas with equal skill. In ‘Detroit’ he played a security guard caught in a terrifying and emotional situation during the 1967 riots. He delivered a moving performance in the ‘Small Axe’ episode ‘Red, White and Blue’ as a man trying to change the system from within. His role in ‘Breaking’ required him to portray a veteran in a state of extreme emotional distress. He is an actor who is not afraid to show the raw and messy side of human emotion.

Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B. Vance is a veteran actor who has delivered many powerful performances on stage and screen. He won an Emmy for his role in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’ where he played Johnnie Cochran with great charisma and hidden depth. In ‘Lovecraft Country’ he portrayed a family patriarch who faced both supernatural and societal terrors. He also showed a very vulnerable side in ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ as a man struggling with his faith and his marriage. His ability to command a scene while showing true emotion is a hallmark of his long career.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard is known for his smooth delivery and his ability to access intense emotions. In ‘Hustle and Flow’ he played a man trying to change his life through music which required many emotional beats. He showed a more sensitive side in ‘The Best Man’ as a friend dealing with past secrets and current conflicts. His performance in ‘Prisoners’ involved portraying a father who was devastated by the disappearance of his child. He has a way of making his emotional outbursts feel both sudden and deeply rooted in his characters.

Stephan James

Stephan James has made a name for himself by playing historical figures and complex fictional characters. He played Jesse Owens in ‘Race’ where he captured the emotional weight of competing on a world stage during a turbulent time. In ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ he delivered a heartbreaking performance as a man wrongfully imprisoned and separated from his love. He also showed great range in the series ‘Homecoming’ as a veteran trying to understand his own past. His youthful energy is often balanced by a deep sense of maturity and emotional intelligence.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is a versatile actor who has appeared in a wide range of dramatic and comedic roles. He received critical acclaim for his performance in ‘Zola’ where he played a dangerous yet captivating character. In ‘Rustin’ he portrayed the civil rights leader Bayard Rustin with a mix of strength and profound vulnerability. He also showed a very different side in ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ as a man navigating a world of loss and survival. He is a performer who can find the emotional truth in any situation regardless of the genre.

Jharrel Jerome

Jharrel Jerome gave a career defining performance in the limited series ‘When They See Us’. He played Korey Wise and captured the immense physical and emotional toll of being wrongfully incarcerated. His ability to portray a young boy and then a man hardened by trauma was incredibly moving. He also showed great range in ‘Moonlight’ during the scenes of teenage discovery and conflict. He is an actor who can fully immerse himself in the pain of his characters to create a powerful connection with the viewer.

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo is a powerful actor who has been delivering standout performances for decades. He received widespread praise for his role in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ where he played a veteran struggling with severe trauma and regret. His ability to switch between intense anger and deep sorrow made his performance unforgettable. He also showed a more subtle emotional side in ‘Clockers’ as a father figure in a difficult environment. He has a commanding voice and presence that makes his moments of vulnerability feel particularly significant.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito is often cast in roles that require a high degree of control and menace but he has a great emotional range. In ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ he played Gus Fring with a hidden history of grief that fueled his actions. He showed a much more vulnerable and emotional side in the film ‘Do the Right Thing’ as the character Buggin Out. His performance in ‘Godfather of Harlem’ involves a complex portrayal of a man balancing power with family loyalty. He is a master of showing the cracks in a character’s composed exterior.

David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo is a highly respected actor known for his ability to portray historical figures with great dignity. He played Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma’ and captured the immense emotional burden of leadership and sacrifice. In ‘A United Kingdom’ he showed a more romantic and personal side while facing societal opposition. His performance in ‘Nightingale’ was a tour de force that required him to portray a man experiencing a total emotional breakdown. He has a way of making his characters feel both monumental and deeply human.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter is a multi talented performer who has won awards for his work on stage and television. He became a household name for his role as Pray Tell in ‘Pose’ where he delivered many heartbreaking and emotional scenes. His character dealt with the challenges of the health crisis and the loss of friends with great courage. He often uses his powerful voice and expressive movements to convey a sense of joy and profound sadness. His performances are characterized by a raw honesty that makes his crying scenes very effective.

Brian Tyree Henry

Brian Tyree Henry has earned acclaim for his ability to balance humor with deep emotional resonance. His performance in ‘Atlanta’ often involved moments where his character had to process loss and frustration. He delivered a particularly moving performance in ‘Causeway’ as a man dealing with physical and emotional trauma. His expressive face allows him to communicate a wide range of feelings without needing many words. He is frequently praised for the authenticity he brings to every dramatic scene.

Trevante Rhodes

Trevante Rhodes became a breakout star after his performance in the final segment of ‘Moonlight’. He played a man who had built up a tough exterior but remained deeply vulnerable underneath. His ability to show that internal conflict during a quiet conversation was a highlight of the film. He also showed his physical and emotional range in ‘Bird Box’ as a man trying to survive in a desperate situation. He is an actor who can use his silence to convey a great deal of emotional weight.

Ashton Sanders

Ashton Sanders is known for his intense and focused performances in dramatic films. He played the teenage version of the main character in ‘Moonlight’ and captured the pain of isolation and bullying. In ‘Native Son’ he portrayed a young man caught in a tragic series of events that led to an emotional downward spiral. He also appeared in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ where he showed a younger and more vulnerable side of the movement. He has a unique screen presence that makes his emotional scenes feel very personal.

Jonathan Majors

Jonathan Majors has quickly risen to prominence through a series of powerful and varied roles. In ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’ he delivered a poetic and emotional performance that showcased his range. He also showed great vulnerability in ‘Lovecraft Country’ as a man facing both literal and metaphorical monsters. His role in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ involved portraying the son of a veteran who was trying to understand his father’s pain. He is an actor who brings a high level of physical and emotional intensity to his work.

Damson Idris

Damson Idris has become well known for his lead role in the series ‘Snowfall’. He portrays a young man whose rise in the criminal world leads to significant personal and emotional loss. His ability to show the gradual hardening of his character while still accessing moments of grief is impressive. He also delivered a strong performance in the film ‘Outside the Wire’ where he played a drone pilot facing moral dilemmas. He is a rising talent who is capable of handling complex and emotional narratives.

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie is a versatile actor who is known for his roles in major action franchises and smaller dramas. In ‘The Hurt Locker’ he played a soldier who had to balance his duties with the emotional toll of war. He showed a more sensitive side in ‘The Banker’ as a man fighting for financial equality in a segregated society. His work in the series ‘Solos’ allowed him to explore deep themes of memory and human connection. He has a natural charisma that makes his moments of emotional vulnerability feel very grounded.

Corey Hawkins

Corey Hawkins has shown his dramatic range in both film and television. He played Dr. Dre in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and captured the emotional challenges of the music industry. In ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ on Broadway he earned a Tony nomination for his nuanced and moving performance. He also appeared in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ where he showed his ability to handle classical text with emotional depth. He is an actor who can bring a sense of urgency and honesty to his emotional scenes.

Daveed Diggs

Daveed Diggs is a performer who is known for his high energy and creative range. He delivered a powerful and emotional performance in ‘Blindspotting’ which he also co wrote. The film explores themes of gentrification and trauma with a mix of humor and raw sadness. He also showed his dramatic skills in the series ‘Snowpiercer’ as a man leading a struggle for survival. His ability to transition from fast paced dialogue to slow and emotional moments is a testament to his talent.

Leslie Odom Jr.

Leslie Odom Jr. is an actor and singer who brings a high level of precision and emotion to his work. He won a Tony for ‘Hamilton’ where his character Aaron Burr faced a lifetime of ambition and regret. In ‘One Night in Miami’ he portrayed Sam Cooke and captured the emotional weight of being an artist during the civil rights movement. He also showed his dramatic range in ‘Many Saints of Newark’ as a man navigating the world of organized crime. He uses his expressive voice to convey the subtle shifts in a character’s emotional state.

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael K. Williams was known for portraying complex characters who often faced tragic circumstances. His performance as Omar Little in ‘The Wire’ showed a man of hard exterior who could still exhibit profound grief. In the series ‘When They See Us’ he played a father struggling with the incarceration of his son. His ability to show vulnerability made his characters deeply relatable to viewers. He often used silence and facial movement to convey deep emotional pain.

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